The Food Network champion is bringing ice cream with South Asian influences to Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA, May 17, 2025 – Malai, an artisanal ice cream company that draws inspiration from South Asian flavors, officially opened its new Philadelphia location today at 260 South 18th Street.
Pooja Bavishi, who won Food Network’s Chopped Sweets, created Malai after realizing that spices from her childhood, like ginger, rose petals, saffron, and cardamom, could be used to create uniquely flavorful ice creams.
“I started Malai because I believe desserts make people happy, and I wanted to work in a field where I could spread joy,” Bavishi said.
Bavishi still develops all of Malai’s flavors and has created a new flavor to celebrate the Philly opening: Cinnamon Honeybun, which is inspired by the Philadelphia favorite, Tastykake Honey Buns.
“Growing up in Pennsylvania, Tastykake Honey Buns were always around, so they were the obvious choice when deciding on our first flavor for our Philadelphia scoop shop,” Bavishi explained. “This ice cream has a cinnamon base with layers of homemade buns filled with spiced honey (think cardamom, black pepper, cinnamon, and star anise), and it’s topped with a cream cheese glaze – another nod to the city’s famous flavors. It’s our take on Pennsylvania classics, and I hope every visit to our shop is as delightful as this ice cream!”
Bavishi began Malai in 2015, selling her ice cream at markets and fairs around New York City. Now, Malai has a flagship store in Brooklyn, a scoop shop in DC, is sold in grocery stores throughout the Northeast, and ships nationwide through Goldbelly. In the last two years, Bavishi has expanded from a small kitchen behind her Brooklyn store to a 4,000-square-foot production and fulfillment center.
The opening of the Philadelphia location coincides with the release of Bavishi’s first cookbook, .
Malai’s summer hours are 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Malai, which translates to “cream of the crop,” is a Brooklyn-based company changing the ice cream industry by using South Asian spices and ingredients as a tribute to Pooja’s experience as a first-generation Indian-American. Malai’s ice creams are known for their unique, powerful flavors and creamy textures, offering a nostalgic and special treat. Malai has been delighting customers with its unique desserts since 2015.
SOURCE Malai
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